Abstract: A method of optical imaging through a scattering medium is provided in which a fit is made to an inhomogeneous diffusion model. The method facilitates good differentiation between scattering and absorption. The variation of the diffusion curve associated with the presence of an inclusion is considered rather than the diffusion curve itself. An empirical model is provided which describes the variation of the diffusion curve. A linear curve fitting process is performed to provide two parameters, one parameter associated with the scattering property of the inclusion and the other parameter associated with the absorption property of the inclusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal body pads comprising one or more thermal packs having a unified structure of at least one continuous layer of a semirigid material which softens when heated and a plurality of individual heat cells, which typically comprise an exothermic composition, spaced apart and fixedly attached across the thermal pack. The material of the continuous layer or layers provide sufficient rigidity to maintain structural support of the heat cells, to prevent unacceptable stretching of structures of the continuous layer or layers during processing or use of the thermal pads, and to ensure child resistance, while also providing good overall drape characteristics when heated. The disposable thermal body pads are intended to be attached to a user's clothing on one side and to be held directly against the user's skin on the other side, for pain relief.

Abstract: A novel method of magnetic resonance focused surgical and therapeutic ultrasound is disclosed where a patient is administered a contrast medium comprising a gas or gaseous precursor filled vesicle, and optionally a therapeutic compound.

Abstract: A fluorescence detecting system detects auto fluorescence emitted from an intrinsic pigment in a part of an organism. An excitation light projector intermittently projects onto the part excitation light in the wavelength range which can excite the intrinsic pigment of the organism to emit auto fluorescence. A fluorescence detector extracts an auto fluorescence component in a desired wavelength range from auto fluorescence emitted from the pigment. A net auto fluorescence component in the desired wavelength range is obtained by subtracting a base line component in the desired wavelength range the fluorescence detector detects when the part of the organism is not exposed to the excitation light from a gross auto fluorescence component in the desired wavelength range the fluorescence detector detects when the part of the organism is exposed to the excitation light.

Abstract: Cardiac monitoring is disclosed in which thoracic impedance and EKG signals are gathered and processed for improved resolution and accuracy. EKG signals are adaptively processed by digitizing, filtering, differentiating and raising the resultant differential by a power greater than one to emphasize changes in the slope of the EKG signal. Blocks of the thus processed EKG data are analyzed to identify peak amplitude and to compare spacing between peak amplitude adaptively to more accurately identify R wave peaks. Stroke volume is determined from a thoracic impedance signal and its time derivative. Preferably, a time-frequency distribution is taken of the time derivative thoracic impedance signal after low- and high-pass filtering to identify B and X wave events in the signal which are used to determine ventricular ejection time and dz/dt.sub.min for a determination of heart stroke volume by conventional methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode for human heart pacemaker comprising an electrode substrate prepared by Pt or a Pt alloy, Ti or a Ti alloy and a mixture of platinum and a platinum group metal oxide coated thereon, the upper portion of the electrode being comprised of mesh or porous.Since the physical dimensions of the electrodes can be made smaller, the substantial surface area can be made larger and the catalytic performance can be elevated because of the coating on the electrode of the present invention. The electrode has remarkably low polarizability, a high response characteristic from a human heart, low electric consumption, smaller input impedanco and extremely high reliability.Also disclosed is an implantable mesh electrode comprising a Pt/Ti composite prepared by coating Ti with Pt.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus therefor for monitoring cardiac function in an animal or human subject including the steps of: placing a first movement detecting transducer on the torso, said transducer overlying at least part of two diametrically opposed borders of the heart or great vessels; generating a signal indicative of the movement of the torso portion subtended by the transducer, said signal including a cardiac component comprising at least a segmental ventricular volume waveform or a segmental aortic pressure pulse waveform; and assessing cardiac function by monitoring changes in said venticular volume waveform or said aortic pressure pulse waveform.

Abstract: An ophthalmic measuring device is used for measuring blood flow at a fundus to be subjected to ophthalmic examination. The device includes and illumination system for illuminating the fundus to be examined, a projection system for irradiating a predetermined area of the fundus with a measuring laser beam, a detection device for detecting a reflected measuring laser beam reflected from the irradiated area, a storage device for storing signals obtained by the detection device, and an arithmetic processing section for arithmetically processing blood flow in a blood vessel of the fundus based on the stored signals. The device has the capability of indicating an area to be detected on the fundus. The device allows a photograph of the fundus to be taken, superimposed on an image of the indicated area, substantially simultaneously with the storage of the signals in the storage device.

Abstract: To monitor a patient for rejection reactions of an implanted heart, a permanent magnet is implanted epicardially in the heart wall and a magnetically active semiconductor element, preferably a Hall generator, is implanted endocardially. Movement of the heart wall results in changes in the distance between the permanent magnet and the semiconductor element. An implantable component supplies the semiconductor element with current and measures the signal generated by the movement of the heart wall. The measured values are transmitted electromagnetically out of the body by the component and recorded extracorporeally, and stored for data transmission.

Abstract: A method for treating pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, or other soft tissue wounds involves the application of a pulsed DC current to the patient's body to stimulate healing of the soft tissue wound. In accordance with the present invention, a pair of electrodes are applied to the patient's body outside the area of the sore, but closely adjacent the outer edges of the sore. The electrodes are placed on opposite sides of the sore and a current is applied to the patient's skin through the electrodes so that the current path is across the sore. The current is applied for a short duration and the probes are repositioned. The process is repeated as many times as necessary to direct current across the entire surface area of the wound. Unlike prior art methods of electrotherapy, the method of the present invention takes only a few minutes to treat each sore.

Abstract: A device for operating an intra-aortic balloon pump having an arterial pressure sensor associated therewith for measuring arterial pressure includes a pressure sensor for measuring an internal pressure of the balloon pump and an arrangement for applying a positive pressure in order to provide fluid to the balloon pump for purposes of inflating the ballon pump. An adjustment device is also included for adjusting the zero point of the arterial pressure sensor. The adjustment device compares the arterial pressure measured by the arterial pressure sensor with the internal pressure of the balloon pump as determined by the pressure sensor and adjusts the zero point accordingly to eliminate differences between the arterial pressure and internal pressure.

Abstract: A pacing unit is disclosed. The pacing unit incorporates a catheter with pacing electrodes and leads extending from the pacing electrodes through the body of the catheter, a catheter holder for holding the catheter, and a pacer. Into the pacer, the connector plugs of the leads are plugged with the catheter holder fixedly attached to the pacer by interlocking means consisting of members fitting in respect to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating tachycardias are disclosed which utilize tachycardia cycle lengths in connection with selecting the type of antitachycardia pacing to be used in such treatment. A range of tachycardia cycle lengths is selected for which antitachycardia pacing treatment is indicated. This range is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges of tachycardia cycle lengths, and corresponding storage locations are established for each of the tachycardia cycle length sub-ranges. Antitachycardia pacing parameters which have been successful in reverting previous tachycardias are stored in their corresponding storage locations, and subsequent tachycardias are treated using antitachycardia pacing parameters selected from storage locations that correspond to, or are closest to correspondence with, the storage locations corresponding to the tachycardias to be treated.

Abstract: In order that in those processes in which vectors (2, 3) and vector loops (1) are determined from the measured values and which e.g. represent the heart function, is possible to better determine changes on loops brought about by changes in the heart, it is proposed that a vector product (4) should be determined from vectors determined at successive times and that the path of such vector products should be followed over a period.